Who Is Tommy Douglas? Age, Biography and Wiki
Born on October 20, 1904, Tommy Douglas was a prominent Canadian politician who served as the Premier of Saskatchewan from 1944 to 1961. He is renowned as the founding leader of the New Democratic Party (NDP) and is celebrated for his significant contributions to Canadian healthcare and social policies. With a legacy that continues to influence Canadian politics, Douglas's life is marked by his dedication to social justice and public health reform.
In 2025, Tommy Douglas would be 121 years old, but his impact on Canadian society remains timeless. His birthday continues to be commemorated by many who recognize him as the "Father of Medicare" in Canada.
| Occupation | Politician |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | October 20, 1904 |
| Age | 81 Years |
| Birth Place | Camelon, Scotland, United Kingdom |
| Horoscope | Libra |
| Country | Canada |
| Date of death | 24 February, 1986 |
| Died Place | Ottawa, Ontario, Canada |
Popularity
Tommy Douglas's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Though accurate details regarding Tommy Douglas's height and weight are less commonly addressed in historical documentation, it's known that he stood at about 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm) tall. As health and wellness were significant topics during his era, Douglas would likely have advocated for active living and health-conscious habits.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Tommy Douglas was married to Irma Douglas, and together they had three children. Their family life was an integral part of his identity as both a politician and a leader. Eventually, in 2004, Irma passed away, and Douglas was survived by his children and numerous grandchildren. At the age of 121, discussions of relationship status may be speculative as he has long since been deceased, but his love for Irma and commitment to family remains a cornerstone of his legacy.
In 1910 at age 7, his family immigrated to Canada, where they settled in Winnipeg. Shortly before he left the United Kingdom, Douglas fell and injured his right knee. Osteomyelitis set in and he underwent a number of operations in Scotland in an attempt to cure the condition.
Later in Winnipeg, the osteomyelitis flared up again, and Douglas was sent to hospital. Doctors there told his parents his leg would have to be amputated; however, a well-known orthopedic surgeon took interest and agreed to treat him for free if his parents allowed medical students to observe. After several operations, Douglas's leg was saved.
This experience convinced him that health care should be free to all. Many years later, Douglas told an interviewer, "I felt that no boy should have to depend either for his leg or his life upon the ability of his parents to raise enough money to bring a first-class surgeon to his bedside."
Net Worth and Salary
While specific figures regarding Tommy Douglas's net worth at his time in office are not frequently mentioned, it can be inferred that as a public servant and politician, he would have maintained a modest income compared to many other high-profile figures in politics today. His focus remained steadfastly on public service rather than personal wealth. As of 2025, estimates would view his financial legacy through the lens of his contributions rather than material wealth.
Douglas started elementary school in Winnipeg. He completed his elementary education after returning to Glasgow. He worked as a soap boy in a barber shop, rubbing lather into tough whiskers, then dropped out of high school at 13 after landing a job in a cork factory.
The owner offered to pay Douglas's way through night school so that he could learn Portuguese and Spanish, languages that would enable him to become a cork buyer. However, the family returned to Winnipeg when the war ended and Douglas entered the printing trades.
He served a five-year apprenticeship and worked as a Linotype operator finally acquiring his journeyman's papers, but decided to return to school to pursue his ambition to become an ordained minister.
Career, Business and Investments
Tommy Douglas's career was rooted in public service and political activism. His tenure as Premier saw the introduction of Canada's first universal healthcare system. Beyond healthcare, he also championed various social welfare programs, education reforms, and workers' rights. Though not known for personal business ventures or investments, his political career left an indelible mark on the Canadian political landscape. His work and legacy are celebrated as part of the foundation of the NDP and social democracy in Canada.
During the September 1939 special House of Commons debate on entering the war, Douglas, who had visited Nazi Germany in 1936 and was disgusted by what he saw, supported going to war against Hitler. He was not a pacifist, unlike his party's leader, J. S.
Woodsworth, and stated his reasons: "If you accept the completely absolutist position of the pacifist, then you are saying that you are prepared to allow someone else who has no such scruples to destroy all the values you've built up. This is what I used to argue with Mr. Woodsworth ...
if you came to a choice between losing freedom of speech, religion, association, thought, and all the things that make life worth living, and resorting to force, you'd used force. What you have internationally is what you have within a nation.
You must have law and order, and you must have the necessary military means to enforce that law and order." Douglas and Coldwell's position was eventually adopted by the CCF National Council, but they also did not admonish Woodsworth's pacifist stand, and allowed him to put it forward in the House.
Douglas assisted Woodsworth, during his leader's speech, by holding up the pages and turning them for him, even though he disagreed with him. Woodsworth had suffered a stroke earlier in the year and he needed someone to hold his notes, and Douglas still held him in very high regard, and dutifully assisted his leader.
Social Network
In today's digital age, it's worth considering how Tommy Douglas's influence would translate to social media platforms. Although he passed away in 1986, his ideals resonate on platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, where discussions about health care and social issues continue to dominate. Fans, activists, and political groups often reference him to highlight the importance of universal health care and social equity.
In the two CBC Television mini-series about Pierre Trudeau, Trudeau and Trudeau II: Maverick in the Making, Douglas is portrayed by Eric Peterson. In the biography mini-series, Prairie Giant: The Tommy Douglas Story, which aired on 12 and 13 March 2006, also on CBC, Douglas was played by Michael Therriault.
The movie was widely derided by critics as being historically inaccurate. Particularly, the movie's portrayal of James Gardiner, premier of Saskatchewan from the late 1920s to mid-1930s, was objected to by political historians and the Gardiner family itself.
In response, the CBC consulted a "third party historian" to review the film and pulled it from future broadcasts, including halting all home and educational sales. Prairie Giant was shown in Asia on the Hallmark Channel on 11 and 12 June 2007.
Education
Tommy Douglas's educational journey began at education institutions in Saskatchewan, which laid the foundation for his later pursuits in philosophy and public speaking. He graduated from Brandon College, which significantly shaped his political philosophy and strong commitment to social justice. His experiences in education contributed immensely to his articulate advocacy for social welfare.
In 1930, Douglas married Irma Dempsey, a music student at Brandon College. They had one daughter, actress Shirley Douglas, and they later adopted a second daughter, Joan, who became a nurse. His daughter, Shirley, married actor Donald Sutherland; through Shirley, Kiefer Sutherland is Tommy Douglas’ grandson.
